DURING December life-boats went out on service 44 times and rescued 19 lives.

THE MEN FROM THE PRU Ramsgate, Kent.—At 8.5 in the morn- ing of the 3rd of December, 1949, the pier shore attandant reported that a boat in which a man was waving ap- peared to be in difficulties in Pegwell Bay. The life-boat Prudential left her moorings at 8.15 in a rough sea, with a strong west-south-west breeze blow- ing. She found the local motor boat Nyria anchored in Sandwich Bay with the wherry Silver Cloud in tow, laden with shrimping gear. The Nyria's engine was out of action through flood- ing, and her crew of two were baling.

The life-boat towed both boats to Ramsgate harbour and reached her station again at nine o'clock.—Re- wards, £8 125. 6d.

SAILORS THREE Dover, Kent.—At 1.14 in the after- noon of the 3rd of December, 1949, the Sandgate coastguard telephoned that a yacht had been reported in difficulties five miles south-south-east of the South Goodwin Light-vessel. The life-boat Southern Africa left her moorings at 1.40 in charge of the second coxswain.

There was a fresh west-south-west gale with a very rough sea. She found the sailing yacht Victoria, of Portsmouth, with three naval officers on board, in Pegwell Bay, and towed her to Dover harbour. The rescued men she landed at her station, which she reached at 11.40 that night.—Rewards, £21 5s.

AN ENGINE BROKEN DOWN Broughty Ferry, Angus.—At 4.10 in the afternoon of the 3rd of December, 1949, the life-boat coxswain saw a motor boat drifting down the river Tay. There • was a man on board, waving his jacket. At 4.18 the life- boat Mono was launched in a rough sea, with a strong westerly breeze blowing. She found the motor boat Kestral, of Dundee, off Horse Shoe Buoy, with a crew of two. Her engine had broken down. The life-boat therefore towed her to Dundee harbour and arrived back at her station at 6.15 that night.—Rewards, £9 7s. 6d.

PROMISE FULFILLED Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—-At half past six on the night of the 7th of De- cember, 1949, it was learned that the local fishing boat Promise, was overdue.

The relatives of the crew of three were anxious for their safety. Accordingly, the life-boat John and Charles Kennedy was launched at 7.12 in a strong westerly breeze with a moderate swell. She found the boat off Cairnbulg Point, and ascertained that she had had engine trouble but was now all right. The life-boat escorted her home, arriving at 8.5.—Rewards, £8 2s. 6d.

TAKEN TO HOSPITAL Arranmore, Co. Donegal.—On the night of the 9th of December, 1949, a woman was taken very ill. A north-westerly gale was blowing with a very rough sea.

As she needed hospital treatment with- out delay and there was no other suit- able boat available, the life-boat K.T.J.S. was launched at 10.20 on the morning of the 10th. She took the woman to the mainland and reached her station again at 1.20 in the after- noon.—Rewards. £9 12,?.

ESCORTING A FISHING BOAT Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—A fishing boat was noticed at anchor three miles north of the pier on the 8th and 9th of December, 1949, and by the afternoon of the 10th she had not moved. As the weather had worsened, and the father of the skipper was anxious, the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson left her moorings at 4.45.

There was a moderate north-north-east gale, with a. very rough sea and sleet.

She found the motor fishing boat St.Gerard, of Arklow, whose crew of four were running short of food. Owing to the state of the sea the skipper had not weighed anchor but with the life- boat standing by, he did so. The life- boat then escorted his boat to the harbour and reached her station again at seven in the night.-—Rewards, £4 2s.

NETS FOULING A PROPELLER Dover, Kent.—At 5.50 in the after- noon on the 10th of December, 1949, the life-boat bowman picked up a wireless message. It said that the trawler Holba, of London, with a crew of two, had been disabled when four miles south-west of Folkestone by nets fouling her propeller. The life- boat Southern Africa was launched at 6.10 in a rough sea with a strong north- north-easterly breeze blowing and hail and snow squalls. A few minutes later the Pilot Cutter Pioneer radioed that she had the trawler in tow, six miles from Folkestone. The life-boat came up with both vessels off Folkestone and accompanied them to Dover, where, in the Outer Harbour, she took over the tow. Then, putting a man aboard, she berthed the Holba at Camber. She reached her station again at 9.20.— Rewards, £10 15*.

EMPTY LIGHTER Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 7.15 in the morning on the llth of December, 1949, the coastguard reported that a lighter was drifting in the fairway near the east Ouze buoy. At 7.45 the life- boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3, was launched. In a rough sea, with a strong northerly breeze blowing, she found the lighter Mediator, of London, two miles west-south-west of Shivering forts, with no-one on board. The life- boat towed her to Southend, anchored her and arrived back at her station at 12.20 that afternoon.—Property Sal- vage Case.

A LASS FROM LANCASHIRE Selsey, Sussex.—At half past eight on the night of the 14th of December, 1949, the coastguard gave information that the Owers light-vessel had reported a yacht sinking nearby. At 8.40 the life-boat Canadian Pacific was launched in a south-westerly gale, with a heavy swell and rain, and about 10 o'clock found the yacht Lancashire Girl. Her occupants—a man, his wife, their three year old son, and another man—had just been taken off by the British motor vessel Eildon. The party could not be transferred to the life-boat until mid- night, however, when the vessels reached quieter seas off St. Helens.

The life-boat then made for Portsmouth where she landed the four people at H.M.S. Vernon Pier. The naval authorities gave hospitality to the life-boat crew, who left at eight o'clock in the morning and at twelve noon re-housed the life-boat at Selsey.— Rewards, £25 8s. 6d.

A SICK MAN FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—At 8.40 On the night of the 16th of December, 1949, the Trinity House Superintendent, Holyhead, asked the life-boat to land a sick man from the South Bishop lighthouse. At 8.45 the life-boat crew assembled and wirelessed the light- house for weather conditions. They learned that no landing was possible in the very rough seas, and the life- boatmen were dismissed. Next day the weather was still bad, but at 9.10 on Sunday morning the 18th, the light- house wirelessed that the seas were now less rough. At 9.45, therefore, the life-boat Civil Service No. 6, accom- panied by the honorary secretary, Dr.

Joseph Soar, M.B.E., Mus.Doc., was launched. Although the sea was moder- ate, there was a fresh south-westerly breeze, and she got alongside the light- house with great difficulty. The sick man climbed down a rope ladder and jumped board. He was exhausted.

The life-boat took him to her station (arriving at 11.30) where he was trans- ferred to a waiting ambulance.—No expense to Institution.

A SHARP LOOK-OUT Whitby, Yorkshire.—After a sudden heavy squall about eight o'clock in the morning on the 17th of December, 1949, the coastguard and coxswain observed that a number of small fishing cobles were in danger of being swamped by the seas. Accordingly, the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 8.15 in a north-westerly wind of galeforce. She made two runs out and escorted in two cobles each time. She then returned to her station and was re-housed at 11.35.-—Rewards, £14 7*.

RULE, BRITANNIA! Flamborough, Yorkshire. — On the morning of the 17th of December, 1949, the local fishing coble Brittania, manned by a crew of three, was at sea. It was very rough and there was a north- westerly gale; conditions were so bad in fact, that it was decided to send out the life-boat. The Howard D was launched at 9.40, and found the coble about six miles to the north-east, when the fishermen had just finished hauling in their gear. The coble set out for home, but as her engine broke down, the life-boat took her in tow and brought her to Flamborough, arriving at half past twelve in the afternoon.

—Rewards, £17 8s.

CORK SAND PRESENTS DIFFICULTIES Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At half past one in the afternoon on the 17th of December, 1949, the Walton-on- Naze coastguard telephoned that a sailing barge appeared to be in diffi- culties near the Cork Sand and that the Cork Lightvessel was firing signals.

At 1.55 the life-boat E.M.E.D. was launched in a moderate sea with a west-north-west breeze blowing. She found the barge Thelma, of Rochester, with a crew of two, rapidly being blown seawards. Missing the Cork Sands, she was held up by her anchor in shallow water. The Trinity House vessel Patricia, on passage to Harwich, had come up with the barge and taken her crew aboard, but put them back when the life-boat arrived. Then, taking the Thelma in tow, Patricia made for Harwich, escorted by the life-boat.

At the harbour entrance the E.M.E.D.

left the other vessels and returned home, arriving at 5.10 in the afternoon.— Rewards, £17 15s.

ANOTHER PRU POLICY Ramsgate, Kent.—About 3.30 in the afternoon, on the 17th of December, 1949, the coastguard reported a fishing vessel aground on the Quern Shoal Brake Sands, and at 3.36 the life-boat Prudential was launched. A gale was blowing from the north-west and the sea was rough. The life-boat found the Belgian motor trawler Victoria, of Ostend, with a crew of five aboard.

She had had difficulty with her steering gear in the bad conditions of weather.

The life-boat passed her a tow rope, and held her firm until she refloated with the rising tide. She was then towed clear, taken to Ramsgate Har- bour, and safely moored. The life-boat reached her station again at 5.10.— Property Salvage Case.

TWO MEN TREATED Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—At 2.27 in the afternoon, on the 18th of December, 1949, the Gorleston coast- guard reported that a vessel at anchor off Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth, was flying a signal for medical aid. At 2.45 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched with a doctor on board. In a slight sea and westerly breeze, she reached the ship—the Dutch motor vessel Hondsrug, from Rotterdam— within ten minutes. The doctor went aboard and found two men in need of medical attention, but after treatment they were able to remain with their ship. The life-boat reached her station again at four o'clock.—Rewards, £11.

GEM IN TWO SETTINGS Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the 18th of December, 1949, the motor fishing boat Gem left Whitby to recover lines left at sea the previous day. During the afternoon the wind freshened and, blowing strongly from the north-west, raised a rough sea at the harbour bar.

The life-boat Mary Ann Hepzvorth was therefore launched at 5.15, and escorted the Gem into harbour. She returned to her station at 6.10.—Rewards, £10 2s. 6d.

STEAMER REFLOATS Donaghadee, Co. Down.—At about four o'clock in the morning of the 19th of December, 1949, the Bangor coast- guard telephoned that a vessel was in distress at Ballymacormack Point. At 4.25 the life-boat Civil Service No. 5 was launched in a very rough sea with a westerly gale blowing, and found the S.S. Florence Cook, of Sunderland, loaded with explosives, aground. Themaster said that as the tide was rising he would try and get off, and asked the life-boat to stand by. The steamer then succeeded in refloating, and went on her way to Belfast Lough. The life-boat returned to her station, arriv- ing at 7.15. The master and crew ex- pressed their thanks.—Rewards, £9 7s.

AN INJURED MAN LANDED North Sunderland, Northumberland.— At 1.10 in the afternoon of the 19th of December, 1949, a wireless message picked up by the Fifeness coastguard and sent to the Seahouses coastguard said that a workman engaged on the reconstruction of the Longstone Light- house had been injured. At 1.35 the life-boat W.R.A. was launched in a full gale from the west, but found it impossible to land in the very rough sea. It was an hour and a half before she could take the man on board. Then she returned to her station at 4.25, where the injured man (who had a badly crushed hand and wrist) was taken to hospital.—Rewards, £26 17s., which were refunded by the Contractors.

SHOVEL FOR AN OAR Torbay, Devon.—About seven o'clock on the night of the 19th of December, 1949, the S.S. Fred, of Piraeus, about a mile off Brixham breakwater, was heard sounding her whistle. Flashing lights were seen. A motor boat put out and the flashing stopped. Later, the coastguard reported that a man, being returned to Greece as an undesir- able alien, had left the Fred on a raft, with only a fireman's shovel for an oar.

Police were searching for him in motor boats. At 10.10 the life-boat Hearts of Oak, on temporary duty at the station, put out, with two police officers on board. A light south-westerly breeze was blowing, with a choppy sea. The life-boat found the man about half a mile off Thatcher Rock, exhausted, with his raft partly submerged. She rescued him and landed him at New Pier at 12.40 next morning, where he was taken by the police to Brixham hospital.—Rewards, £7 19s. 6d.

CASUALTIES IN TOW Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At 1.40 in the afternoon on the 22nd of December 1949, the wife of the owner of the motor fishing boat Shirley Williamson picked up a radio distress call from her hus- band's boat. It was about eight miles north-east of Scarborough, disabled by an engine breakdown and leaking; and did not expect to keep afloat for long.

The life-boat Herbert Joy II was therefore launched at 1.55 in a mod- erate sea with a light south-westerly breeze blowing. She found the Shirley Williamson in tow of the Floreat II, which had taken the crew aboard.

Together with another fishing boat— the Pilot Me—the life-boat helped to tow the casualty to Scarborough, arriving there at 4.20 in the afternoon.

—Rewards, £13 17s.

ANOTHER SICK MAN LANDED Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.— At 9.35 in the night of the 23rd of December, 1949, a wireless message was picked up at St. Abbs from the steam trawler Arlette, of Grimsby. She was making for Berwick to land a man with a poisoned arm. The St. Abbs life- boat honorary secretary telephoned the Berwick coastguard, who told the Berwick life-boat authorities at 10.40.

The tide was too low for a local boat to put out, so at 11.1 the life-boat J. and W. was launched, with a doctor onboard. There was a moderate south- westerly breeze, with a slight sea.

The life-boat found the Arlette half a mile north-east of Berwick lighthouse and took the sick man on board, land- ing him at 11.35. The doctor then took him to Berwick Infirmary.—• Rewards, £9 4s.

STEAMER IN SHOAL WATER Troon, Ayrshire.—At 6.15 on the night of the 28th of December, 1949, the Troon pilots telephoned that the Irvine pilots had reported a steamer ashore on the north side of Irvine Bay.

At 6.40 the life-boat Sir David Rich- mond, of Glasgow left her moorings and, in a rough sea, with a fresh south- westerly breeze and showers of sleet, found the S.S. Ardachy, of Glasgow.

She was in shoal water a hundred yards north of Irvine harbour. The life- boat twice bumped the bottom getting to her, but rescued her crew of eightby breeches buoy and took them to Irvine. She reached her station again at 9.5.—Rewards, £9 7s.

LIFE-BELTS FOR THREE Filey, Yorkshire.—At 2.30 in the afternoon of the 30th of December, 1949, fishermen reported that the local motor fishing coble Margaret and James was overdue. She could not be seen from the shore and the weather was worsening. The life-boat The Cuttle was therefore launched at 2.50. A moderate east-south-east breeze was blowing with a moderate sea. The life-boat found the coble off Filey Brigg, passed life-belts to her crew of three and escorted her in. She reached her station again at 3.45.—Rewards, £13 9s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: North Sunderland, Northumberland.— December 4th.—Rewards, £28 145.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. — December 4th.~Rewards, £10 17s.

Dover, Kent.—December 5th.—Re- wards, £9.

Barrow, Lancashire.—December 7th.

—Rewards, £25.

Broughty Ferry, Angus.—December 10th.—Rewards, £10 12s. 6d.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.-—December 10th.—Rewards, £6.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—December llth.—Rewards, £5.

Walmer, Kent.—December llth.— Rewards, £39 9s.

Dover, Kent.—December llth.—Re- wards, £16 10s.

Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.— December 12th.—Rewards, £15 8s. 6d.

Holyhead, Anglesey.—December 15th.

—Rewards, £8 15s.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—December 15th.—Rewards, £17 13s.

6d.

Dover, Kent.—December 15th.—Re- wards, £9.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey. December 17th.—Rewards, £6.

Hoylake, Cheshire.—December 17th.

—Rewards, £19 10s.

Stromness, Orkneys.—December 19th.

—Rewards, £28 3s. 6d.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—December 19th.—Rewards, £22 17s.

Dover, Kent;—December 20th.—Re- wards, £7 5s.

Donaghadee, Co. Down.—December 23rd.—Rewards, £7.

Hastings, Sussex.—December 26th.— Rewards, £26 11s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. — December 30th.—Rewards, £14 4s.

JANUARY DURING January life-boats went out on service 37 times and rescued 24 lives, TURQUOISE BLUE Workington, Cumberland.—At 8.10 on the night of the 5th of January, 1950, the coastguard reported the s.s. Tur- quoise, of Glasgow aground one mile north of Maryport. At 8.50 the life- boat The Brothers was launched. She stood by the steamer in a rough sea, with a westerly gale blowing, until the coastguard got a life-line on board, when the steamer's crew signalled all was well. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 1.30 the next morning. Because of the bad weather, however, it was decided to stand by the Turquoise at high water. At 11.15 the life-boat again put out, and re- mained with her for one and a half hours. She reached her station again at 2.15 that afternoon.—Rewards: 1st service, £13 8s. 6d.; 2nd service, £12 9s.

HOSPITAL BOAT Longhope, Orkneys.—At 7.45 on the night of the 6th of January, 1950, a local doctor telephoned for the life-boat to take a woman who had met with a serious accident to Kirkwall, for hos- pital treatment. As no other boat was available the life-boat Thomas McCunn was launched at 8.15 in a moderate sea with a moderate south-westerly breeze blowing. She took the patient on board and left for Kirkwall, putting her ashore there. Then she returned to her station, arriving at 12.45 the next morning. — Rewards, £16 6s.

Repaid to the Institution.

BERLIN RE-VISITED Helvick Head, Co. Waterford. — At 5 o'clock in the evening on the 7th of January, 1950, information was re- ceived that the sixteen-feet sailing boat Berlin, with a German and his daughter on board, had left Kilmore Quay for Cork at eleven that morning, bound for South America. At two o'clock in the afternoon she had been seen off the Hook Tower. As the weather, already, bad, was worsening, the life-boat crew assembled and watch was kept from Helvick Head. By now there was anxiety for the safety of these two persons. Nothing was heard of them until about four o'clock the next after- noon, when a resident of Dungarvan saw the Berlin sailing close in shore near Ballyvoyle Head in a dangerous position. He telephoned the life-boat authorities, and the life-boat Agnes Cross, on temporary duty at the station, was launched. A whole southerly gale was blowing with heavy seas. The life-boat found the Berlin in Clonea Bay off the Ballinacourty lighthouse, just clear of breaking seas on the shore, and escorted her to deeper water.

Here the second coxswain and a life- boatman boarded her. The exhausted man and girl said they had anchored the previous afternoon, but the cable had parted. The life-boat towed the Berlin to Helvick pier and arrived back at her station at 4.30. The life-boat honorary secretary, Mr. P. J. Morrissey, lodged the rescued people for the night.

The Falmouth life-boat had rescued them and saved their boat on the 20th November, 1949, when they were in difficulties off Portscatho.—Rewards, £17 2s.

TOWING A TORPEDO-BOAT Ballycotton, Co. Cork, and Helvick Head, Co. Waterford.—During the afternoon of the 10th of January, 1950, the Helvick Head life-boat, H. F. Bailey, was on passage from Baltimore, expecting to call at Ballycotton. About 4.50, a searchlight was seen flashing under the cliffs five miles to the west. Red rockets were also noticed. Accord- ingly at five o'clock the Ballycotton life-boat Mary Stanford was launched in a rough sea, with a moderate south- erly breeze blowing. Meanwhile the Helvick Head life-boat had also seen the rockets. Searching, she found the Irish motor torpedo-boat M. 4, with a crew of sixteen, near the shore four miles west of Ballycotton. Her engines had broken down. With great diffi- culty the life-boat got a line on board and started towing, until at 5.45 the Ballycotton life-boat arrived on the scene, when both life-boats towed her for a while. Then the tow rope of the Helvick Head life-boat parted. Al- though unable to make contact again, she stayed with the Ballycotton life- boat, while she took the motor torpedo- boat to Ballycotton. They arrived at 8.30 that night, and the Helvick Head life-boat left for her station the next day. The Commander of the motor torpedo-boat commended the Bally- cotton life-boatmen.—Rewards: Bally- .cotton, £11 3«.; Helvick Head, £6.

DISASTER TO H.M.S. TRUCULENT Margate, Kent, and Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—On the 12th of January, 1950, the life-boats from these two stations were out on service, assisting with the transhipment of survivors from H.M.

Submarine Truculent.—Rewards: Mar- gate, £62 Is.; Southend-on-Sea, £63 2s.

(For a fuller account of the service, see page 3).

PRIM AND TENDER Fowey, Cornwall.—During the morn- ing of the 15th of January, 1950, the Polruan coastguard had under observa- tion a fishing boat with a motor boat in tow. At 12.10 in the afternoon he reported that the boats were in distress about two miles south-by-west from Polperro. At half past twelve the life-boat C.D.E.C. was launched in a choppy sea, with a fresh south-westerly wind blowing. She found the fishing boat Prim and a R.A.F. tender bound from Plymouth to Falmouth, where the tender was to be converted. The tow rope had parted and fouled the propeller of the Prim, whose crew of two were unable to cut the tow away, or make headway under sail. The life- boat took the two boats in tow andbrought them into Fowey Harbour at 3.40.—Rewards, £10 10s.

MAN KILLED IN PILOT BOAT Moelfre, Anglesey.—About ten o'clock on the night of the 16th of January, 1950, the Holyhead coastguard tele- phoned that the Mersey Dock Board No. 4 Pilot Boat had struck a sub- merged object in Moelfre Bay and was in need of help. At 10.10, therefore, the life-boat G.W. was launched. A north-north-westerly gale was blowing with a rough sea, and the night was dark and cold. After a short time the distress call was cancelled, but before the life-boat got back to her station she picked up a wireless signal. She also noticed a searchlight turned on from the pilot boat. Going to her, the G.W.

found that she had struck a rock near Moelfre Island. One of her crew had been crushed and killed between the pilot boat and one of her ship's boats, and another man who had been injured needed a doctor. The life-boat brought out a doctor and after returning him ashore, stood by at the Master's request until daylight. The body was landed at nine o'clock. The Master expressed his appreciation.—Rewards, £34 6s.

RIDE OF THE VALKYRIAN Newhaven, Sussex.—At 9.9 on the night of the 16th of January, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that flashing lights had been seen between three and four miles south-by-west of Newhaven.

There was a fishing vessel in this posi- tion, but although watch was kept, she seemed to be all right. However, at 11.16 the coastguard reported a red flare three miles to the south-south- east, and at 11.30 the life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched. In a moderate north-westerly breeze with a heavy swell she found the local motor fishing vessel Valkyrian, with a crew of two, off Seaford Head. She had had an engine breakdown, had an- chored, but was dragging. The life- boat towed her to the harbour and arrived back at her station at 12.37.— Rewards, £9 11*.

UP WITH THE SKYLARK Eastbourne, Sussex.—At 11.20 in the morning of the 17th of January, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that the fishing boat Skylark, of Shoreham, working from Eastbourne, had not returned from early morning fishing.

As the weather was becoming worse, the life-boat Beryl Tollemache was launched at 11.40. There was a strong northerly wind with a rough sea. She found the fishing boat one mile south of the Royal Sovereign Lightvessel and escorted her home, returning to her station at 12.55 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £22 5s.

IN TOW TO YARMOUTH Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—At 5.42 in the evening of the 22nd of January, 1950, the Gorleston coastguard telephoned that a small boat was burn- ing flares one and a half miles north- north-east of Gorleston North pier head.

At 5.58 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched in a moderate sea, with a light north-north-east breeze blowing.

She found the fishing boat Golden Gift, with a crew of three. As her engine had broken down, the life-boat towed her in, escorted her to Yarmouth, and reached her station again at 7.30 that night.—Rewards, £14 12*. 6d.

SEARCHING IN A THICK HAZE Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the 27th of January, 1950, it was reported that the local motor coble Resolution, with a crew of three, was overdue. The life- boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 2.40 in the afternoon in a calm sea with a light southerly wind and started to search in a thick haze. She found the coble two and a half miles to the northward and escorted her home, arriving at 5.15.—Rewards, £9 2*. 6d.

FIFTY MEN AND A DOG St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—At 2.31 in the morning on the 29th of January, 1950, Niton radio station wirelessed that the S.S. Edirne, of Istanbul (a vessel of 3,653 tons, with a crew of fifty, bound for Denmark with oil cake) had radioed that she had gone aground.

At 3.22 the life-boat Queen Victoria left her moorings in a strong south-south- east breeze with a heavy swell. In spite of poor visibility she found the steamer at 7.51 on a reef on the north- east side of Burhou Island west of Alderney. She was hard and fast andbadly holed, and her crew had aban- doned her. The life-boat came up with twenty of them in a ship's boat and rescued them. Among them was the master, who said that the other thirty men had got ashore. The life- boat therefore anchored and used the ship's boat to ferry them out. She then took two ship's boats and a dinghy in tow and made for Guernsey. Owing to the weather, however, the two boats had to be cut adrift, and so the life- boat reached her station at 1.20 in the afternoon with just the dinghy, the fifty men and their dog.—Rewards, £27 10s.

MUCH ADO ABOUT CLOUGHEY Cloughey, and Donaghadee, Co. Down.— At three o'clock in the morning of the 31st of January, 1950, the Tara coast- guard telephoned the Cloughey life- boat authorities that the South Rock lightvessel had fired a white rocket. At 3.15 he stated that she appeared to be drifting, and at 3.57 reported that she had made a red flare. At 4.45, there- fore, the life-boat Herbert John was launched. The sea was moderate and a gale was blowing from the south-east.

She found that the lightvessel had broken from her moorings and had temporarily anchored one and a half miles north of her station, two miles from South Rock. At the master's request the life-boat stood by him in case the weather worsened. About six o'clock the Tara coastguard re- ported seeing two more red flares. It looked as though the Cloughey life-boat needed help, and so at 6.15 the Dona- ghadee life-boat Civil Service No. 5 was launched. But about 6.30 the Herbert John arrived back at her station to report to the Irish Lights Commis- sioners, and said she had made no flares. The Civil Service No. 5 was then recalled by wireless to her station, which she reached at 7.30. At 6.40 the Herbert John put out again, and stood by the lightvessel all night in case she dragged further. In the morning two Irish Lights Commis- sioners' vessels arrived and the Cloughey life-boat was able to leave for Porta- vogie for fuel and food, and a change of clothes for her crew. She reached harbour at 8.30 in the morning of the 1st of February. However, as the Commissioners' vessels asked her to return to the lightvessel as soon as possible, she left Portavogie at eleven o'clock and again stood by the light- vessel; although heavy seas prevented her closing. The Commissioners' vessels had by now left for Belfast Lough; the life-boat therefore stayed with the lightvessel all day, reaching her station only at 7.15 that night.

At 1.5 on the morning of the 3rd, the Bangor coastguard telephoned the Cloughey life-boat authorities that the lightvessel was reported to be making red flares. At 1.40, the Herbert John was launched again in a rough sea with a strong southerly gale blowing. The lightvessel was dragging again. Her crew of seven had had no food for four days and asked to be taken off, but their vessel was rolling heavily and the life-boat could not get alongside.

Eventually she got a line from her and manoeuvred close in. One man jumped into the life-boat and in four more attempts the other six jumped, although one of them missed the life-boat and fell into the sea. He was hauled into the life-boat only slightly injured. During these operations the life-boat was in danger of being capsized by the light- vessel, and so, when the seven men had been rescued, the life-boatmen chopped the rope and left the light- vessel at full speed. The Herbert John landed the men at Cloughey and reached her station again at 3.55. The Com- missioners of the Irish Lights expressed their thanks.—Rewards: Cloughey, 1st Service, £109 lls. Qd.; Donaghadee, £7 11*.; Cloughey, 2nd Service, £17 4s.

LIFE-BOAT LEADING LIFE-BOAT Berwick - on - Tweed, Northumberland; and Dunbar, East Lothian.—At 7.35 in the morning on the 31st of January, 1950, the Berwick coastguard telephoned the Berwick life-boat authorities that a railway signalman had reported a vessel sounding her siren ashore at Salt Pan How, Scremerston. Accord- ingly the life-boat J. and W. was launched at 8.4 in a very heavy sea with a fresh south-south-east gale.

She found the motor vessel Rask, of Haugesund, with fifteen persons on board, two and a half miles south ofBerwick pier, but could not close her owing to the weather. She therefore stood by for three-quarters of an hour.

The coastguard manned their life- saving appliances and rigged a breeches buoy from the shore. Then the life- boat left the scene. Because of heavy seas she made for Dunbar, wirelessing this fact to Stonehaven radio station, who passed it through the Dunbar coastguard to the Dunbar life-boat authorities. As she was due off Dunbar between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, the Dunbar life-boat George and Sarah Strachan left her moorings at 1.45. She came up with the J. and W. three-quarters of a mile north by east of the harbour, piloted her in and reached her station again at 2.35.

The Berwick life-boa,t was taken back to her station two days later. The crew of the Rask were rescued by the coastguard. — Rewards: Berwick-on- Tweed, £21 2s. 6d.; Dunbar, £7.

The following life-boats were out on sendee, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—January 3rd.—Rewards, £15.

Padstow, Cornwall.—January 5th.— Rewards, £5 16*.

Islay, Inner Hebrides.—January 5th.

—Rewards, £11 95.

Ramsgate, Kent. - Rewards, £9 13s.

- January 7th. — - January 8th. — Ramsgate, Kent. • Rewards, £11 4s.

Boulmer, Northumberland.-—January 9th.—Rewards, £13 3s. 6d.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—January 10th.

—Rewards, £19 19s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.-— January 12th.—Rewards, £13 Is. 6d.

Thurso, Caithness-shire.—January 13th.—Rewards, £13 17s.

Walmer, Kent.—January 14th.-—Re- wards, £18 9s.

Tynemouth, Northumberland.—Janu- ary 15th.—Rewards, £10 6s.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—January 16th.—Rewards, £10 3s.

Workington, Cumberland. — January 17th.—Rewards, £31 19s. 6d.

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—Two launches; January 21st-22nd.—Rewards, £45 19s. 6d.

Fenit, Co. Kerry.—January 22nd.— Rewards, £27 4s.

Dungeness, Kent.—January 26th.— Rewards, £31 6s.

Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—January 31st —Rewards, £9 7s.

FEBRUARY DURING February, life-boats went out on service 44 times and rescued 69 lives.

MORE FIRST AID FOR STROMA Thurso, Caithness-shire.—At half past ten on the morning of the 1st of Febru- ary, 1950 the honorary secretary of the Wick life-boat station telephoned that a doctor wanted to be conveyed to Stroma, where medical aid was urgently needed. He asked whether the Thurso life-boat could go as in this bad weather it would be imprudent for the Wick boat to be absent from her station on such a mission. A full south-easterly gale was blowing with a very rough sea, and the weather was described as filthy. It was decided to launch the Thurso life-boat H.C.J. and so, with the doctor on board, she left at 1.15 in the afternoon. The life-boat put the doctor ashore on Stroma and stood by, but after two hours it was con- sidered too dangerous to re-embark him. She therefore returned without him, arriving in Scrabster Harbour at ten o'clock that night. Half an hour later the Wick coastguard sent a message that the life-boat would be needed at Stroma at nine o'clock the following morning. Accordingly she slipped her moorings at 7.45 on the 2nd of February and set out once more for Stroma. She reached the island two hours later, and taking the doctor aboard, returned to her station by 11.45.—Rewards: £19 9s. 6d and £17 9s. 6d.

RAGS AS A SIGNAL Hartlepool, Durham.—At 6.40 on the night of the 1st of February, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a vesselwas burning rags two miles north-by- east of Heugh Light. A strong south- erly breeze was blowing, with a rough sea. At 7.20, the tife-boat The Princess Royal, Civil Service No. 7 was launched, and found the motor fishing vessel Sunray, of Grimsby, with a crew of four, six miles north of the Light. Her engine had broken down. The life- boat towed her in and reached her station again at 12.30 the next morning.

—Property Salvage Case.

LITTLE OLD LADY PASSING BY Dungeness, Kent.—At 10.10 in the morning of the 2nd of February, 1950, the Jury Gap coastguard telephoned that a fishing boat was burning a flare and flying a large ensign two miles south of the Gap. Most of the life- boatmen were out fishing, but the mechanic attracted the attention of the second coxswain, who happened to be close inshore. Coming ashore, he took charge of the life-boat, Charles Cooper Henderson, which, manned by a scratch crew, was launched at 10.35 in a moderate sea with a strong south- erly breeze blowing. She found the fishing smack Little Old Lady of Shoreham, with a crew of four, five miles west of the life-boat station.

She was anchored, but dragging. The life-boat towed her to Rye and reached her station again at 2.30 that after- noon.—Rewards, £34 18s.

LANDING A PILOT Margate, Kent.—At 11.2 on the morning of the 2nd of February, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel was signalling with flags that she re- quired a boat. At 11.10 the life-boat Lord Southborough, Civil Service No. 1, was launched in a slight sea with a moderate south-westerly breeze blow- ing. She found the s.s. Lona, of Stock- holm, three miles to the north-east.

Her captain stated that he only wanted a boat to take his pilot ashore; accord- ingly the pilot boarded the life-boat, which landed him and reached her station again at 12.5. — Rewards, £10 12*. 6d.

STANDING BY Falmouth, Cornwall. —• About four o'clock in the afternoon of the 2nd of February, 1950, a message was received that a vessel was dragging and in danger of going on the rocks at Black Rock, in Falmouth Harbour. At 4.15 the life-boat Crawford and Constance Conybeare left her moorings in a heavy sea with a southerly gale. She found the s.s. Caudebec, of Havre, in ballast about two hundred yards off the rocks ; and at the master's request stood by until the wind moderated. She reached her station again at eight o'clock.— Rewards, £9 9s.

A FOULED PROPELLER Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.—At 5.25 in the evening on the 2nd of Feb- ruary, 1950, the pier master reported that a landing craft of the Royal Navy had fired Verey lights in the direction of the Langford Grounds. At 5.55 the life-boat Fifi and Charles was launched, accompanied by the honorary secretary, Mr. R. J. S. Crowe. In a fresh southerly gale with heavy break- ing seas and rain, she found the landing craft, with a crew of sixteen, drifting towards Black Rock. Her propeller had fouled. The life-boat rescued the men, took them to Uphill and then moored in the River Axe at 8.45 for the night. The landing craft; was towed to Cardiff the next day by another vessel. The Naval Authorities expressed their thanks. — Rewards, £17 Is.

FOOD TO A HUNGRY CREW Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—On Friday the 3rd of February, 1950, the motor vessel Actuality of London, on passage from Drogheda to Sunderland, entered Peterhead Bay to shelter from bad weather. Being short of food, she sent a boat ashore in search of provisions.

The boat made land near the Admiralty Works on the south side of the Bay, where the mate got into touch with the life-boat honorary secretary. He advised him to come into town by bus.

As' the small boat could not get back to her ship and no other suitable boat was available, the life-boat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow was launched at noon.

Provisions having been procured the life-boat went to the far side of the bay, picked up the ship's boat and towed her out to the Actuality. Men and foodhaving been put aboard the life-boat reached her station again at 12.38 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £9 7s. Qd.

IRELAND'S UNSEEN EYE Howth, Co. Dublin.—At seven o'clock on the night of the 3rd of February, 1950, a local fisherman reported that the fishing boat Paragon, of Arklow, had gone on the rocks off Ireland's Eye.

At 7.13, therefore, the life-boat R.P.L.

was launched, in a smooth sea with a moderate south-westerly breeze. She found the Paragon with a crew of three, drifting two miles north of Ireland's Eye with her steering gear out of action.

Having towed her to harbour, she reached her station again at 8.45.-—• Rewards, £7 16*.

FAILURE OF AN ENGINE Douglas, Isle of Man.—At 12.40 in the early morning of the 4th of February, 1950, the coastguard reported that dis- tress flares were being burned off Douglas Bay. At one o'clock the life- boat Millie Walton was launched in a heavy sea with a strong south-westerly wind blowing. She found the Castle- town motor fishing vessel Ann ofLonan, with a crew of three. Bound for Port St. Mary from Preston, she had been disabled by an engine failure and was drifting towards the rocks. The life- boat took the boat in tow and brought her into Douglas Harbour at three o'clock.—Rewards, £9 4s.

STANDING BY AND BY Cromer, Norfolk.—On the morning of the 6th of February, 1950, after the local boats had left for the fishing grounds sixteen miles south-east of Cromer, there were indications of a north-easterly gale approaching. It was decided, therefore, to send out the No. 2 life-boat Harriot Dixon. She was launched at eleven o'clock in a rough sea with an increasing north-north- easterly wind. Five miles south-east of Cromer, she met one of the boats, but left her to make her way home alone. Off Mundesley she found another boat with a crew of three, including the coxswain of the Cromer No. 1 life-boat. This boat decided to go ashore, and the life-boat stood by until she was beached. As the search went on it was learned that two other boats had got ashore at Bacton. Three more boats were met eleven miles to the south-east of Cromer and safely escorted to a beaching place at Bacton. The life-boat then made for home, arriving at two o'clock in the afternoon. Of the four boats which the life-boat stood by, three belonged to Cromer and one to Runton.—Rewards, £17 16s.

ANOTHER ARDUOUS RESCUE AT JERSEY St. Helier, Jersey.—At 5.20 ill the morning of the 7th of February, 1950, the Harbour Office telephoned to say the St. Helier pilot boat had wirelessed that the motor vessel Killurin, of London, had run on the rocks, later identified as Les Sillettes reef off Noir- mont Point. At 5.50 the life-boat Elizabeth Rippon left her moorings in a heavy swell and a light south-westerly breeze. She found the vessel, which had had a crew of nine, nearly sub- merged. One man, who was clinging to her mast, jumped and the life-boat picked him up. She then picked up three men floating in life-belts, one of whom was dead. Meanwhile a fishing boat had found three more men in a ship's boat and landed them at St.

Helier. This left two. The life-boat took the men she had picked up to her station and left again to search for them. She found one body and landed it at nine o'clock. The fishing boat put out again and the ex-life-boat cox- swain's boat also searched. But the last member of the crew was not found.

—Rewards, £12 18*.

A NIGHT OF STORM Bally cotton, Co. Cork.—At 6.45 on the night of the 8th of February, 1950, the S.S. Joseph Mitchell, of London, loaded with coal for Cork, was seen to be very close to the shore about one and a half miles south-west-by-west of Ballycotton. At 7.15 a resident re- ported hearing a wireless message from the collier that she had struck a sub- merged object five miles south-west-by- west of Ballycotton lighthouse. As her engine-room was flooding, she had asked for help. Accordingly, at 7.25 the life-boat Mary Stanford left her moorings in a heavy swell with a freshwest-south-west breeze, sleet showers and rain. As she was searching, she saw a torch light a quarter of a mile from the reported position. Altering course she found a small ship's boat with the crew of thirteen of the Joseph Mitchell, rescued the men with great difficulty, gave them rum and brandy and reached harbour with them at 8.35.

As the collier was thought to be a danger to navigation and a tug had left Cobh, the life-boat took the skipper out at 8.40. But the Joseph Mitchell had already sunk. The life-boat reached her station again at 9.30.—• Rewards, £11 3*.

AMBLING AND COQUETTING Amble, and Boulmer, Northumberland.

•—About 6.30 in the morning of the 10th of February, 1950, the Amble coastguard reported to the Amble life- boat authorities that a vessel was ashore near Coquet Island; and the life-boat Frederick and Emma was launched. The sea was rough with a fresh southerly breeze blowing. Find- ing nothing, she returned to her station for news, and then searched northward.

Here she came up with the S.S. Ronja Borchard, of Leith, anchored about half a mile off Dunstanburgh Castle. The steamer had refloated on the rising tide, but was damaged and making water. The Boulmer coastguard had telephoned the Boulmer life-boat authorities at 7.51; and at 8.5 the life-boat Clarissa Langdon was also launched. As a tug was expected, the Amble life-boat left the Clarissa Langdon standing by the steamer and arrived back at her station at twelve noon. Shortly afterwards the Boulmer life-boat piloted the tug to the steamer.

It was taken in tow and brought to the Tyne, where the master announced that all was well. The Clarissa Lang- don therefore returned to Boulmer, arriving at three o'clock that after- noon. The master expressed his thanks.—Rewards: Amble, £16 5s.; Boulmer, £22 16s.

RIBBLEBANK ON THE LIGHTHOUSE BANK Fleetwood, Lancashire.—At 10.30 in the morning on the 10th of February, 1950, the harbour authorities reported that the s.s. Ribblebank, of Liverpool, was on the Lighthouse bank. Later she was reported to be loaded with 400 tons of calcium carbide. At 12.50 in the afternoon, therefore, the life-boat Ann Letitia Russell was launched.

There was a heavy ground swell with a strong west-south-west breeze. The life-boat stood by the steamer until she refloated under her own power, and then escorted her to harbour, reaching her station again at 2.5. The owners expressed their appreciation and made a gift to the Institution.— Rewards, £10 11s.

TWO SAMPLES OF WHITE HEATHER Tynemouth, Northumberland.—At half past ten on the morning of the llth of February, 1950, the coastguard tele- phoned that a coble and a motor boat with a lighter laden with coal in tow, were in difficulties off the Tyne Harbour entrance. The Pilot Cutter was in attendance. Ten minutes later it was reported that the cutter had left and was entering the river; and so, at 11.3, the motor life-boat Tynesider was launched. There was a rough sea with a moderate westerly gale, and the boats were being rapidly blown seawards.

About three miles off she came up with the motor boat White Heather which had already abandoned the lighter.

The life-boat rescued the crew of three of the motor boat, which she took in tow; and while going to the coble (also called White Heather) informed Cullercoats Radio Station that the lighter was adrift. As her engine had broken down and she had shipped water, the coble was then also taken in tow. By half past twelve the boats gained the shelter of the pier, where the coble's engines were re-started.

The rescued men were landed at South Shields at 12.50 in the afternoon, and the life-boat then returned to her station.—Rewards, £15 17s.

A BARGE ON FIRE Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 7.15 on the night of the 12th of February, 1950, Lloyd's signal station reported that the riding light of a barge to the east of the pier was on fire. As this was a signal of distress, the life-boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 waslaunched at 7.45. The sea was very rough and a strong gale was blowing from the south-south-west. The life- boat found the sailing barge Brian Boru, of London, nearly submerged, a quarter of a mile east of the pier.

She rescued her crew of two, who were suffering from exposure, and took them ashore at 8.10. The barge sank twenty minutes later. At 5.5 the next morn- ing the life-boat again put out to try and refloat her; but although the life- boatmen pumped the barge for three hours they made no headway. The life-boat therefore picked up the barge's anchor and chain and reached her station at 8.10.—Rewards, £30 19s., and Property Salvage Case.

THE VIKING DEEPS IS BEACHED Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—About half past four on the morning of the 15th of February, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a ship was showing flares off Bayble, seven miles from Stornoway. At 5.15 the life-boat William and Harriet was launched in a moderate swell with a southerly wind blowing. She found the steam trawler Viking Deeps, of Aberdeen in danger of sinking, having struck a rock.

Her crew of twelve had already been taken off by two drifters, but three of them went back on board and three others boarded the life-boat with the same object. However, they were not needed, as the first three got the engines going; when, under her own power, the Viking Deeps, escorted by the life-boat, reached Stornoway and was beached alongside the pier at ten o'clock.—Rewards, £8 15s.

A SICK WOMAN'S LIFE IS SAVED Lerwick, Shetlands.—At 2.55 in the afternoon of the 15th of February, 1950, the Medical Officer of Health telephoned asking if the life-boat could fetch from Fair Isle a woman suffering from appendicitis. As no other suit- able boat was available the life-boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland left her moorings at 3.24. She embarked a doctor, and made for Fair Isle in a rough sea with a strong south-westerly breeze blowing, reaching the Island at 9.45. Here the patient was put on board the life-boat, which left for her station at 10.30 and transferred the woman to a waiting ambulance on arrival at Lerwick at 4.25 the next morning. The life-boat had travelled ninety miles and saved the patient's life.—Rewards, £30 55.—Repaid to the Institution.

ERRANDS OF MERCY Ramsey, IsIe-of-Man.—At 9.50 on the morning of the 17th of February, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that the motor tanker Ben Henshaw, of London (which was two miles to the north-east) was flying a signal for a doctor. As the weather was bad, the life-boat Thomas Corbett embarked one, and was then launched at 10.15. The sea was very rough with a south-westerly gale. She went alongside the tanker and put the doctor aboard. He found that his prospective patient—the ex- master, who was on passage in her— was dead. He therefore returned to Ramsey in the life-boat with the present master, arriving about 11.15.

About noon the life-boat took the master back to his vessel and put fresh water and milk on board, reaching her station again at 1.15 in the afternoon.

At 1.50 the coastguard reported that the S.S. Saint Or an, of Glasgow, about three and a half miles to the north- east, had hoisted a flag signal, also asking for a doctor. The life-boat therefore re-embarked him, and was launched at two o'clock. However, she found that the steamer had flown the wrong signal and needed food; but by now was making for harbour.

As it was decided to take the body ashore from the Ben Henshaw, the life-boat left her and landed the body and the master at 3.15. Later, she took the master back to his vessel and reached her station again at 6.15 that evening.—Rewards: 1st Service, £17 12s. 6d.; 2nd Service, £22 3s. 6d.

THE HOOK AND THE IVY Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—At half past four in the afternoon on the 20th of February, 1950, pilots reported that distress flares had been seen close to The Hook, Co. Wexford. Fifteen minutes later the life-boat Annie Blanche Smith was launched. A strong north-westerly breeze was blowing with a rough sea. The life-boat found the fishing boat Ivy, of Waterford, with a crew of four, disabled by a rope round her propeller and dragging her anchor only a hundred and fifty yards from the rocks. She was too close in for the life-boat to go alongside. A line was therefore fired over her, and a tow rope passed across. The life-boat then took her in tow for Dunmore East, reaching it at 6.30 in the evening.

—Rewards, £7.

ON THE ROCKS Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 5.38 in the evening on the 22nd of February, 1950, the coxswain saw a fishing boat drifting on to the rocks off Cromwell Point, clearly in need of prompt help. Seven minutes later the life-boat B.S.A.P.

put out in a strong south-easterly breeze. After half an hour, she came up with the boat Pride of Ballin- skelligs, which carried a crew of two.

She was disabled by an engine failure.

The life-boat took the boat in tow when she was only one hundred yards from the rocks, and brought her safely to Cahirciveen at 7.22, arriving back at the life-boat station at 7.52.—Rewards, £7 8s.

A FOULED PROPELLER Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—At four o'clock in the afternoon on the 23rd of February, 1950, information was re- ceived from St. Combs and the coast- guard that a small fishing boat was in distress. At 4.13 the life-boat John and Charles Kennedy was launched in a moderate swell with a fresh northerly breeze blowing and snow showers.

Captain R. T. Duthie, the Joint Hono- rary Secretary, acted as coxswain.

She found the motor fishing yawl, Jeannie Slessor, of Fraserburgh, with a crew of two, half a mile north of Rattray Head. She was disabled by a fouled propeller, and drifting south of St. Combs. The life-boat took the boat in tow and brought her to Fraser- burgh, arriving at six o'clock.—Re- wards, £8 4s.

A POPULAR ESCORT Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 8.30 in the morning on the 24th of February, 1950, fishermen reported that one of six fishing vessels which had put out in the early hours, was making for harbour.

The sea off the entrance was broken and a gale was blowing from the north.

At 9.5 the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworih was launched, but the Pro- vider A, decided to wait. The life- boat, therefore, first escorted in the Galilee, and then the Provider A. Later she attended the Venus, Pilot Me II, Success, and Express into harbour, reaching her station again at 2.30 that afternoon.—Rewards, £16 15s.

A BUSY ESCORT Scarborough, Yorkshire.—On the morn- ing of the 24th of February, 1950, six local cobles were fishing off Burniston when the wind increased to a fresh breeze from the east-south-east, accom- panied by snow showers. A rough sea rose. As the cobles were open boats it was decided to launch the life-boat Herbert Joy II. She left at half past eleven and, striking off in a north- easterly direction met the first of the fleet. Life-belts were handed to her crew and she was escorted home.

Then the life-boat put to sea once more and escorted in the remaining boats. The last arrived at 1.30 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £16 5s.

STILL ESCORTING Whitby, Yorkshire.—At midday on the 25th of February, 1950, a strong north-easterly wind was bringing up a dangerous sea on the Harbour bar, while the local motor fishing vessels, the Pilot Me II and Success were still at sea. At 12.15 the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched and, meet- ing the Pilot Me II, escorted her into harbour. Putting out again, she met the Success and accompanied her through the broken water into safety.

The life-boat was returned to her house at 1.28.—Rewards, £9 4s.

ALIVE ON DEAD MAN'S ISLAND Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 12.50 in the early morning on the 26th of Feb- ruary, 1950, the coastguard at Southend Pier Head reported that a man and his two boys, who had left Sheerness during the afternoon in a rowing boat to go to Dead Man's Island, had not been heard of since. At half past onethe life-boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 was launched. Half an hour later she reached the Island, where, in a very choppy sea with a north- north-easterly gale blowing, she carried out a fruitless search until 5.30. Then, after moving alongside a tug until day- light, she continued the search. At last the man and two boys were found.

The life-boat was driven head on to the Island and two members of the life- boat's crew jumped ashore to help them aboard. They were quite ex- hausted and almost frozen, for they had spent the night on the Island with- out shelter. The life-boat landed them at Sheerness at 7.30 and got back to her station at eight o'clock.—Rewards, £21 1*.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in dis- tress, were not needed or could do nothing: Lytham-St. Anne's, Lancashire.—Feb- ruary 1st.—Rewards, £8 2s.

Plymouth, Devon.—February 2nd.—• Rewards, £12 5*.

Newhaven, Sussex.—February 2nd.

—Rewards, £13 8s.

Swanage, Dorset.—February 5th.— Rewards, £24 13*.

Dover, Kent.—February 6th.—Re- wards, £10 15s.

Dover, Kent.—February 10th.—Re- wai'ds, £7 5s.

Kirkcudbright.—February 10th.—Re- wards, £21 16s.

Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—February llth.

—Rewards, £9 7s.

Sunderland, Durham.—February llth.

—Rewards, £12 17s. 6d.

Whitby, Yorkshire. —February 13th.

—Rewards, £14 7s.

Cromer, Norfolk.—February 14th.— Rewards, £37 2s. Qd.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire. — February 16th.—Rewards, £12 14s. 6d.

Hastings, Sussex.—February 18th.—• Rewards, £28 8s. 6d.

Penlee, Cornwall.—February 25th.— Rewards, £19 8s. 6d.

Helvick Head, Co. Waterford— Febru- ary 26th.—Rewards, £11 3s..